On Monday, a small fire broke out at one of the solar fields in Westerlo. Westerlo's Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Don Filkins told The Enterprise that it was put out quickly and that, even if the fire had been allowed to burn, there would have been little to no risk to the public. 

The surface of the bridge is being replaced, requiring a detour for passenger vehicles, buses, and trucks until mid-November, at which point only trucks will be required to detour. 

On the heels of the New York State Department of Health’s mask mandate for schools, the Berne-Knox-Westerlo Board of Education adopted a layered-mitigation opening plan to maximize flexibility inside of an evolving health crisis. 

The Berne Town Board reappointed Cheryl Baitsholts as the town’s dog-control officer, 4 to 1, but Baitsholts will reject the offer, she wrote in a letter to the Enterprise editor. 

A Facebook post by Westerlo Betty Filkins, wife of Westerlo Councilman Richard Filkins, incorrectly alleging that the town’s draft comprehensive plan would forbid motorized trails within the town has been shared more than 100 times, whipping the public into a misinformed frenzy and exemplifying the occasionally toxic effect social media has on local government.

Westerlo Deputy Supervisor Matthew Kryzak, who is leading the town in the absence of a supervisor, said the change will save the town money and does not relate to concerns about the old legal firm’s performance. 

Heat waves have profound effects on farm animals. The Enterprise spoke with two farmers to learn how they managed their livestock during last week’s heat wave, and whether they’re making any changes in preparation for a warmer Earth.

Berne Councilman Joel Willsey, a Democrat, voted against reappointing Cheryl Baitsholts as dog control officer despite avidly supporting her candidacy, saying that the reduced pay proposed by the GOP-backed town board is inadequate.

The 90-day extension will allow the Westerlo Town Board more time to review the town’s comprehensive plan and ensuing alternative energy laws. 

The Berne Highway Department has corrected the seven safety violations uncovered by the New York State Department of Labor in the wake of a fatal workplace accident at the town highway garage last year, newly obtained investigation documents show.